Dorthy Lee Pennington

Dr. Dorthy Lee Pennington is an Associate Professor in the Department of African and African-American Studies and Communication Studies at the University of Kansas. She holds affiliations with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has been recognized for her contributions through prestigious awards including the National Communication Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award and induction into the KU Women’s Hall of Fame. Her research focuses on intercultural communication, race, gender, and workplace dynamics, with notable publications in journals like Howard Journal of Communications and Contemporary Black Thought.

Dr. Pennington has presented globally on intercultural communication at institutions such as Oxford University and in Germany, Japan, and Korea. She is a respected scholar with editorial board roles in national journals and active membership in organizations like the National Communication Association and Central States Communication Association, where she has held leadership positions.

Her scholarly contributions include authored/co-authored books such as Crossing Difference: Interracial Communication and African-American Women Quitting the Workplace. She is celebrated for bridging academic rigor with pedagogical innovation, emphasizing inclusive teaching practices and mentorship in communication studies.